Tobacco-feeding machine



Nov, 17, 1925. 1,561,856

A. A. HEYMAN TOBACCO FEEDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 10. 1922 v Sheets-She e t 1 Q R Q Q Nov. 17 1925- A. A. HEYMAN TOBACCO FEEDING MACHINE 7 Filed Oct. 10. 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 NCV.

A. A. HEYMAN TOBACCO FEEDING MACHINE Filed Oct, 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 11,19zs- 1,561,856

A. A. HEYMAN TOBACCO FEEDING nears:

Filed on. 10. 1922 '1 Shoots-Shut 4 I lllilliiiilm:

WIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/Il/I/l "ll; 'I/ I M Nov. 17 1925- A. A. HEYMAN TOBACCO FEEDING MACHINE Filed 00%, 10. 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 17 1925. 15613856 A. A. HEYMAN v TOBACCO FEEDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 10. 1922 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Af' y A. A. HEYMAN TOBACCO FEEDING mourns Nov. 17, 1925- 7 Sheets-She 7 Filed Oct. 10, 1922 Patented Nov. 17,1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE,

ALBERT A. HEYMAN, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNIVERSAL CIGAR MACHINERY CO. IN 0.,

OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

TOBACCO-FEEDING MACHINE.

Application filed October 10, 1922. Serial No. 593,550.

To aZZwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT A. HEYMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore and State of Maryland, have inventeda new and useful Tobacco-Feeding Machine, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to a machine for feeding tobacco tocigar making machines, one of the objects of the invention being to provide means whereby the tobacco leaves are, built up in a stack adapted to be fed intermittently to the cigar machine so as to be cut up by said machine into bunches and formed into cigars of uniform size and shape.

Another object is to provide feeding mechanism which will so arrange the tobacco leaves that the cigarsproduced from the stack of leaves will contain long fillers.

Another object is to provide transfer mechanism for conveying the leaves from the receiving portion of the feeding mechanism to the delivering portion thereof, said transfermechanism operating automatically to compress the layer of leaves placed thereon, engage them in a novel manner, convey the leaves to the delivering portion of the feeding mechanism, and then automatically release the leaves from the transfer mechanism.

Another object is to provide new and novel means for directing a layer of leaves onto,

the'transfer mechanism so that the leaves. will occupy the same relative positions on said mechanism as those in which they were placed when arranged in the receiving portion of the feeding machine.

A still further object is to provide the feeding mechanism with a sensitive and accurate detecting mechanism whereby should the built up stack of leaves on the delivering portion of the apparatus become too thick, the transfer mechanism and the parts for supplying leaves thereto will be automatically disconnected from the driving mechanism so that the supply of leaves to the stack will be discontinued during the delivery of the stack from the feeding apparatus until areduced portion of the stack is brought to position under the detecting mechanism at which time the transfer mechanisnrwill begin automatically to operate and supply tobacco to the stack.

A further object is to provide transfer mechanism which cooperates with an intermittently'movable delivering belt so that as the layers of tobacco are deposited the stack will be built up both longitudinally-and in thickness. i

Another object is to combine with the feeding mechanism an apparatus whereby tobacco clippings can be directed automatically onto the middle portion of the stack, thus to produce the desired enlargement or rounding of the cigar usually found in cigars that have been made by hand.

A still further object is to provide means under the control of the detecting mechanism for regulating the discharge of clip pings onto the stack.

Vith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that, within the scope of what is claimed, changes in the precise embodiment of the invention shown can be made without departing from the spirit. of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the feeding mechanism.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a por tion of the shearing knife and illustrating its connection with the pin moving shaft.

Figure 7 is an elevation of a portion of the transfer and its pin shifting shaft, showing the clamping plate and a part of its operating mechanism.

Figure 8 is an elevation of one side of the transfer when brought to delivering position above the delivering belt, said belt and the stack thereon being shown in section.

Figure 9 is an elevation of the other side of the transfer, the detecting mechanism thereon being shown in elevation.

Figure 10 is a perspective View of the cutout mechanism controlled by the detector.

Figure 11 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the latch forming a part of the detecting mechanism.

Figure 12 is an elevation of the clutch and adjacent parts controlled by the cutout mechanism.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of a portion of the driving mechanism.

Figure 1 1 is an elevation of a portion of the roll operating mechanism.

Figure 15 is a side view of portion of a stack.

Figure 16 is a side elevation of the cam used for actuating the clamping plate.

Figure 17 is a side elevation of the knife operating cam.

Figure 18 is a side elevation of the transfer ope-rating cam.

Figure 19 is a side elevation of the cam for operating the feed roll.

Figure 20 is a side elevation of the cam for operating the presser belt.

Figure 21 is a side elevation of the clutch operating cam.

Figure 22 is a plan view of a modified structure for feeding clippings to the stack.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates the main frame or supporting structure of the feeding apparatus, it being intended to mount this structure at a point where the feeding apparatus will be properly positioned to direct the stacked tobacco to the cigar making machine which is to be of a standard or any well known construction. The feeding mechanism comprises first. a receiving mechanism, second, a transfer mechanism to which leaf tobacco is supplied from the receiving mechanism. third. a delivering mechanism to which the leaf tobacco is supplied by the transfer mechanism, fourth, a mechanism for supplying tobacco cuttings or clippings to the stack on the delivering mechanism, and fifth, detecting means whereby the feet ing mechanism can be controlled and a stack of substantially uniform thickness will is delivered to the cigar making machine.

The receiving mechanism includes an endless belt 2 mounted at one end on a roller 3 provided with a gear 1 while its other end is supported by an idler roller 5, this belt being arranged longitudinally of the front end of the machine. Overhanging one side of the belt 2 is a flanged guide plate 6 and another flanged guide plate 7 is supported over the other side portion of the belt 2. This plate 7 is preferably adjustably mounted on one or more brackets 8, there being a slot and bolt arrangement 9 for adjustably attaching the plate 7 to the bracket 8. By adjusting the plate 7 laterally relative to the plate 6 a receiving channel of any desired width can be formed between the plates above the belt, the width of this channel determining the width of each layer of tobacco leaves to be supplied to the stack ultimately produced. A top plate 10 is arranged over the inner end portions of the plates 6 and 7 and the belt 2 and is inclined downwardly and inwardly as shown particularly in Figure l, thus to cooperate with the belt 2 to form a constricted throat or passage 11 through which a layer of leaf tobacco will be delivered.

Journaled in suitable bearings 12 on the side portions of the frame 1 and above the bearings of the roller 3 is a tubular shaft 13 and journaled within this tubular shaft is a central shaft 14. This central shaft is provided with gears 15 which mesh with racks 16 provided at the ends of a shearing blade or knife 17 These ends engage guides 19 mounted on the frame 1. A cross bar 20 is supported beyond the end of the belt and is recessed to receive a. strip 21 with which the shearing blade 17 coacts for the purpose of severing tobacco delivered from the belt. A crank arm 22 is secured to one end of the shaft 1% and is pivotally connected to one end of a pitman 23. This pitman has a stud 24 adapted to work within a cam groove 25 formed in one side of a cam 26 secured to and adapted to rotate with a shaft 27 extending transversely of the machine and below the belt 2.

The tubular shaft 13 has a roller 28 se cured thereto, this roller cooperating with that portion of thebelt 2 on the roller 3 to grip a layer of tobacco leaves and feed it over the bar 20 and between the strip 21 and the shearing blade 17. A gear 29 is secured to the tubular shaft 13 and meshes with gear l so that the roller 28 and the belt 2 will have corresponding movement. A sprocket 30 is also secured to the tubular shaft 13 and is adapted to receive motion through a chain 31 from a large sprocket 32 mounted to rotate freely on a transverse shaft A ratchet wheel 3% is provided on one side of the sprocket and is engaged by a pawl carried' by a crank arm 36 mounted to swing on the shaft 33. A pitman 37 is connected to the crank arm 36 and has a laterally extending stud 38 which works within an eccentric groove 39 formed in one side of a cam 40 secured to the shaft 27. 40 the pitman 37 will oscillate the pawl'35 and cause an intermittent rotation of the ratchet wheel 34, thus to produce an intermittent rotation of the roll 28 and thebelt 2. The parts are so adjusted that each movement of the pawl in one direction will produce suflicient movement of the roll 28 and belt 2 to deliver from between them a length of stock equal to the width of the stack to be built.

Mounted to swingfreely on the tubular shaft 13 is a frame 41 having a. crooked poi tion 42 adjacent theattached end of each side thereof so that when the frame is swung from an upstanding position, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, to a horizontal position, as hereinafter explained, these crooked portions 'will straddle the ends of the'blade 17. Journaled in the sides of the frame 41 and parallel and in alignment with the shaft 14 are shafts 43 and 44 carrying rollers 45 on which is mounted an endless belt 46 the outer surface of which is preferably crinkled or corrugated. Opposed portions of the belt preferably slide upon backing plates 47 secured to the sides of the frame. A sprocket 48 is secured to the shaft 44 and is driven by a chain 49 receiving motion from a sprocket 50 secured to the tubular shaft 13. An idler wheel 51 is carried by the frame 41 and engages chain 49 so as to hold it properly in engagementwith the sprocket 50.

A pitman 52 is connectedto one side or.

the frame 41 as shown particularly in Figures 2 and 5 and has a laterally extending stud 52 adapted to work within an eccentric groove 53 formed in one face of a cam 54 secured to the shaft 27. Thus it will be seen that during the rotation of the cam 54 the pitman 52 will be operated to swing the frame 41 about shaft 13 fromits upstanding position shownin Figure '2 to a.

horizontalposition and thence back to its upstanding position, this swinging action being effected without disconnecting the'belt 46 (hereinafter designated the presser belt) from the roll 28 and its drive mechanism.

The transfer mechanism includes a transverse shaft 55 journaled in suitable bearings 56 -and having a supporting plate 57 secured thereto. This plate has numerous small apertures 58 extending therethrough and the plate is normally supported with its top face flush with the top of the bar 20 and strip 21 so that when a layer of stock is projected from between the belt 2 and the roller 28 it will slide onto this plate 57 and be supported thereby. Arms 59 are mounted to rotate on the shaft '55. eachof these arms carrying a friction strip 60; for engaging shaft 55 there being an ad usting screw 61 7 Thus during the rotation of the caniforholding the friction strip 60 properl-yf? pressed against shaft 55.

Ap pla e 6 normally rests on the arms 59 and'is loosely 68. Pins 64 project from the plate and have attached to the arms by means of'brackets pointed ends normally seated within the respective apertures 58. from each 211111592111Cl'1S adapted, when the transfer device is shifted to one extreme position, to come against a stop member 66 so as to set up relative'moven'lent of the arms 59 and plate 57 A lug extends When the plates 57 and 62 are in their normal posltion. as shown in Figure 4 the arms gers 67 to press against arms 59 and swing said arms upwardly relative to the plates 57 The arms will be held in the positions to which they are moved by the frictional v contact of the friction strips 60 .with the shaft 55. When the arms 59 are'thus elevated the plate 62-will also be movedso as to slide the pins 64 within openings 58 and project the points of the pins above plate 57.

Pivotally mounted in a bearing 70 arranged at one side of the machine is a lever 71 one end of which is secured to a holding plate 7 2 provided with small-apertures 7 3. At certain times during the operation of the. machine this plate is adaptedto rest on a layer of stock supported bythe plate 57' at [which time the apertures 73 will register with the apertures 58 so. as to receive the,

times the plate 72 is supported in an upstanding position beyond one side of'the path of movement of the frame 41. Actuation of this plate is efiected by arm 74 extending from a lock shaft 75 and connected by a link 76 to the outer end of lever .71. Another arm 77 is secured to the shaft 75 and has a laterally extending stud 78 adapted to'work within an eccentric groove 79 formed 111 one face of a cam 80 secured to pins 64 when they are elevated. At other the shaft 27. Thus during the rotation of 7 is secured to shaft 33 and has a pitman ivotally connected to it. Extending laterally from this pitinan is a stud 86 adapted to work within an eccentric groove 87 formed in one face of a cam 88 secured to and adapted to rotate with the shaft 27. By the back and forth rotation of shaft 33 produced by the cam 88 and pitman a corresponding back and forth rotation of shaft 55 will be produced so as to cause the transfer mechanism mounted on said shaft to swing to either of two positions.

The delivering mechanism of the machine includes an endless belt 89 movable trans versely of the machine and adapted to carry stock to the inlet or intake portion of a cigar making machine a portion of which has been indicated at 90 and constitutes no part of the present invention. This belt travels along a line parallel with but below the shaft 55 and the side portions of the belt are overhung by flanged guide plates 90" forming between them a channel 91 in which the stock is to be stacked. This belt is adapted to operate intermittently and can be coupled to the cigar making machine or to the main drive shaft 92 of the present apparatus. In Figure 2 there has been shown a mechanism for transmitting motion from the operating mechanism to the belt but it is to be understood that this mechanism is merely illustrated for the purpose of showing some means for transmitting motion to the belt in properly timed relation to the operation of the other parts of the feed mechanism. In the structure shown in Figure 2 chain and sprocket mechanism in dicated generally at 93 is illustrated as a means for driving a segmental gear 9 1.

This gear, in turn, is adapted to intermittently engage and elevate a rack bar The rack bar is pivotally attached to a ratchet lever 96 which, whenoscillated, will intermittently rotate the shaft 97 supporting one end of the belt 89. By means of this mechanism the belt 89 will be given an intermittent movement toward the intake of the cigar machine, this movement being in timed relation to the movement of the other parts of the feeding mechanism.

For the purpose of supplying tobacco cuttings or clipping to a stack when formed on the belt 89 there is provided at one side of the machine a longitudinal conveyor belt 98 mounted on a roll 99 having a sprocket 100 rotating therewith. A vertically disposed endless belt 101 is arranged at one end of the machine and is mounted on upper and low-er rolls 101 and 102. The upper flight of belt 98 is extended under the roll 102 and thence upwardly in contact with and parallel with belt 101 to a top roll 103 which serves to support the uppermost portion of this belt 98. An idler roll 10it engages the lower flight of belt 98 and is mounted in adjustable brackets one of which has been shown at 105. Narrow conveying belts 106 are located close to the sides of the belt 89 and are adapted to be driven by any suitable mechanism not shown so as 7 middle portion of the belt 89 near the dis charge end thereof. The outlet end of this chute has a gate 108 adapted to close it and extending upwardly from and movable with the gate is an arm 109 to which is connect-ed a longitudinally slotted link 110. The gateis adapted to be held by friction in any position to which it may be moved. Ri-gidly se cured to the link 110 and extending down-- wardly therefrom is an arm 111 having a laterally extending finger 112 supported in the path of a cam finger 113 extending from a bracket 11% projecting laterally from the plate 62. Thus if the gate 108 has been moved to closed position by the detecting mechanism, as hereinafter pointed out the cam finger 113 will during one movement of the transfer mechanism come against the finger 112 and thrust arm 109 to the right in Figure 2 so as to swing the gate open.

As heretofore pointed out the drive shaft 92, which operates continuously and at a high speed, serves to drive the belt 89 intermittently. This shaft has a sprocket 115 which transmits mot-ion through an endless chain 116 to a sprocket 117 secured to and rotating with a short shaft 118. Another sprocket 119 is secured to and rotates with this shaft and is connected by a. chain 120 to the sprocket 100. Thus motion is transmitted to the belt 98. From sprocket 117 the chain 116 is extended into engagement with a large sprocket 121 secured to a transverse shaft 122 and fastened on this shaft so as to rotate therewith is a small sprocket 123 which drives an endless chain 124. This chain is mounted on an idler sprocket 125 and also engages a large sprocket 126 mounted on the cam shaft 27. A cam 127 is secured to this shaft and has an eccentric groove 128 in which is adapted to work a stud 129 extending laterally from a pitman 130. This pitman is slotted longitudinally as at 131 so as to slide on the shaft 27. Pin man is pivotally attached to a crank arm 132 extending from and adapted to swing freely on the shaft 75. Thus the actuation of pitman 130 by the cam 127 will result in the back and forth oscillation of arm 132.

As shown in Fi ure 12 a bell crank 13% is positioned with one of its arms in the path of crank arm 132 but this bellcrank is not contacted by arm 132 and, therefore, is not actuated thereby under ordinary conditions. 1

In Figure 12 the arm 132 has been shown at its nearest approach to the bell crank 133.

The sprocket 1.26 through which motion is transmitted to the cam shaft 27 is mounted to rotate freely on shaft 27 unless coupled thereto by a clutch shown in detail in Figure 12. This clutch includes a sleeve 134 feathered on shaft 27 and having a collar 135 formed with a continuous annular groove 136. Lugs 137 are extended laterally from the collar and are normally seated in notches 138 formed in one end of the hub 139 of sprocket 126. Said end of the hub has outwardly diverging cam faces 140 extending from theiwalls of the notches 138. One end of the bell crank 133 is forked as at 141 and this forked portion engages the grooved collar 135. A spring 142 serves to hold the sleeve 134 normally pressed toward the hub 139 so that the lugs 137 are thus normally seated in the notches 138.

Vi it-h the parts positioned as described it will be obvious that motion will be transmitted continuously from the drive shaft 92 to the cam shaft 27 unless by means of mechanism hereinafter described the lugs 137 are disengaged from the notches 138 and the hub 139 thus uncoupled from shaft 27. I

The various cams on shaft 27 are so shaped and positioned as to operate in properly timed relation the different parts of the mechanism controlled thereby and which have already been described. The action of the parts is as follows:

The belt 2 and the roll 28 are intermittently actuated by the mechanism controlled by cam 40 and during pauses in their operation the operator carefully spreads over the belt 2 a layer of tobacco preferably of a single thickness. The plate 72 is elevated at one side of the machine, and the presser belt is likewise elevated. Just prior to the actuation of the belt 2 and roller 28 the presser belt 46 is swung -downwardly onto the plate 57 and as it reaches this position the belt 2, roller 28 and belt 46 are set in motion. Thus the layer of tobacco on belt 2 is fed under the blade 17 and onto the plate 57 where it is engaged by belt 46 and drawn gradually into position on plate 57. As belt 46 moves with the same speed as belt. 2 the pieces of tobacco will not become disarranged when passing onto the plate 57 but will be maintained in the same relative positions as were occupied by them on the belt 2. Immediatelyfollowing the placing of the layer of tobacco on the plate 57- the frame 41 swings upwardly and as it reaches its uppermost position the plate 72 moves downwardly onto the layer of tobacco on plate 57. Immediately thereafter the blade is forced downwardly, thus severing the v glayer oi -tobacco and at the same time actu- 11.1119, rock'sha f tzfi to cause fingers67 to force the pins 64 through the tobacco and into the. openings 73 in plate 72. Following this operation plate 72 is swung back to its upstanding position and immediately thereafter shaft is rotated to bring the plate 57 in an inverted positionover the belt 89. During this action the tobacco is held to the plate by the pins 64 but as the plate 57 reaches the limit of its movement the lugs 65 come against the stock 66 and swing the arms 59 away from the plate 57 so as to withdraw pins64 from the tobacco. Thus the freed layer of tobacco will fall into the channel 91 and onto belt 89. Immediately following this action the plate 57 will swing back to its initial position during which time the belt 89 will be shifted to convey the layer of tobacco toward the receiving portion of the cigar making machine. This movement will bev very slight, however, so that when another layer of tobacco is deposited it will be disposed in lapped relation on the previously -deposited layer and with one edge contacting with the belt. In this way an elongated stack will be built up as shown in Figure 15, the layers of tobacco being indicated at T and the belt and stack being movable in thedirection indicated by the arrow. As the stack passes under the outlet of the trough 107 the tobacco cuttings or clippings will be delivered onto the center of the stack. As the stack is delivered by the belt 89 it will be received by the cigar making machine and put up into bunches by any suitable mechanism provided therefor and subsequently made into finished cigars.

In order to prevent the stack on the belt 89 from getting too thick, it has been necessary to provide a detecting mechanism which will automatically stop the operation of the receiving and distributing mechanism until the belt 89 has been moved a sufficient distance to bring a thinner portion of the stack under the gauge portion of the detecting mechanism. In order to control the parts for the purpose stated there is mounted on the shaft 55 of the transfer mechanism a collar 143 having a'transverse notch 144 in its periphery. A sleeve 145 is mounted for rotation on the shaft 55 and has a transverse peripheral notch 146. A gear 147 is integral with or secured to the sleeve 145 so as to rotate therewith and meshing with this gear is a segmental gear 148 formed at one end ofa lever 149. This lever is fulcrumed as at 150 upon one side of the plate 57. A weighted extension 151 is adjustably connected to the lever 149 and has a foot 152 adapted, when the transfer mechanism is inverted in delivering position, to contact with the top of the stacked tobacco.

Journaled in a stationarybracket 153 is ashaft 154 to which is secured a depending arm 155 overhang'mg theeollar Th s arm has a laterally extending lug 156 slidably engaged bv the slotted portion of the link 110. A latch 157 is slidably mounted in the arm 155, it being retained in the arm by a cover plate 158 having a longitudinal slot 159. A linger piece 160 extends from the latch and is slidable in the slot 159. A linger 161 is extended laterally from the latch and extends transversely of the collar 1 13 and sleeve 1 15 and is designed, when the notches 1 14 and 1416 are in register to drop into position therein and thus lock the gear 147 to the shaft Under normal condi tions the notches are out of register and the linger 161 thus rests on the sleeve or the collar 143.

An arm 162 is secured to and extends from the shaft 154 and is adjustably connected by a rod 163 to a bracket 161 pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank 165. The other arm of the bell crank has a plug 166 secured to it and this plug is normally supported close to but out of the path of the arm 132 and close to one arm of the bell crank 133. A counterbalance 167 is coniected to the bell crank 165 and serves to offset the weight of arm 162, rod 163 and the parts connected thereto so that a very slight pressure is all that is necessary to swing the bell crank 165.

Under normal conditions the two notches 14l-l and are out of register. Therefore the transfer mechanism can work back and forth and deposit layers successively on belt 89. If the stack of tobacco on the belt be comes too thick, however, the foot 152 will be held up by the stack when the transfer mechanism is brought to delivering position. Thus a sutiicient relative movement of the segmental gear 148 and the shaft 55 will be set up to cause gear 1-17 to be rotated to: bring notch 1 16 into register with notch 1 1 1. As finger 161 is directly over notch laid while the tobacco is being dropped from the transfer mechanism it will be obvious that said finger will promptly fall into the two registering notches. Thus when shaft 55 begins its return movement after delivering the layer of tobacco it will cause the arm 155 to swing because of the engagement of finger 161 with the notches. Consequently arm 162 will transmit motion through rod 163 to bell crank 165 and cause the plug 166 to move into position between crank arm 132 and bell crank 133. Thus as crank arm 132 swings toward shaft 27 during the movement of the transfer mechanism back to normal or receiving position, crank arm 132 will come against plug 166 and press it against the bell crank 133. This will result in the withdrawal of the lugs 137 from the notches 138 and further rotation of the sprocket 126 by its driving chain 124 v will result in both of the cam faces 140 pushing against the withdrawn lugs137. Thus the sprocket will not only be uncoupled from shaft 27 and the actuation of all of the cams be stopped, but bell crank 133 will be shifted away from block 166 so as to relieve it from pressure and allow it to return freely to its initial position. By the time the sprocket 126 is recoupled to shaft 27 by the action of spring 142 the transfer mechanism will be ready to again swing toward the belt 89 but in the meantime the belt 89 will have moved forward one step. If the stack is still too thick when the transfer mechanism comes to position thereabove the detecting mechanism will again operate in the manner described and the mechanism will be in active while the belt 89 moves another step. When the transfer mechanism is finally brought to delivering position above a portion of the stack which is not of too great a thickness. the detecting mechanism will not be brought into action and, consequently, the succeeding operation will result in the conveying of a layer of tobacco to the stack. it is to be understood of course that following each movement of the transfer mechanism to position above the belt 89 said belt is given a short longitudinal movement to shift the stack bodily relative to the other parts of the feeding mechanism.

Any suitable means can be employed for withdrawing the plug 166 from the path of the crank arm 132. In the drawings a slotted link 168 has been shown pivotally connected to the bell crank 165 and slidably and pivotally connected to a rock arm 169. This rock arm can be a part of the cigar making machine or, if preferred, can be actuated by the drive shaft 92. or some mechanism driven there-by. For instance a bevel gear 170 may be rotatable with the arm 169, this gear being adapted to be engaged and actuated intermittently by a segmenta. gear 171 suit-- ably geared to the shaft 9 1 of gear 91-. The parts can be so timed that immediately after ach actuation of the bell crank 133 by the pressure of the plug 166 thcreagainst said plug will be pulled back to its initial or normal position.

Instead of delivering the tobacco cuttings or clippings onto the stacked stock near the delivery end of the bolt 89 the chute 172 shown in Figure 22 can be provided with a lateral discharge 173 having a swinging gate 174. This discharge will deliver cuttings onto the stack at a point that has not yet passed underthe detector and thus the size of the stack can be more accurately gauged than if the cuttings are placed there on after the detector has been passed. In the structure shown in Figure a gear 175 rotates with the gate and meshes with an arcuate rack 176 carried by a lever 177. A rod 178 is connected to this lever and corresponds with the rod or link 110. It has a finger 179 connected thereto and which lit? bination with fied structure shown in Figure 22. .IVhen the gate is opened in this manner the arm 155 is brought back to its initial position by the link 110 as will be apparent by referring to Figure 9.

hat is claimed is 1. In a tobacco feeding machine the coman apertured supporting plate, of pins having their points normally housed in the apertures, meansfor directing a layer of tobacco onto the plate, an apertured holding plate movable to position on thetobacco, and means for shifting the pins through the tobacco and into the holding plate.

r 2. In tobacco feeding mechanism the combination with a supporting plate having apertures, of means for directing a layer of stock onto the supporting plate, an apertured holding plate movable onto the layer of stock to press it on the supporting plate, and means connected to the supporting plate and movable into the holding plate for impaling the stock. I

3. In tobacco feeding mechanism the combination with an apertured supporting plate, means for directing a layer of stock onto the plate, and an apertured holding plate movable onto the stock on the supporting plate, of means for severing that portion of the stock engaged by the plates, and means operated by the severing of the stock for impaling the stock and holding it to the sup-- porting plate independently of the holding late. p 1 In a tobacco feeding machine an apertured supporting plate, means for directing a layer of stock onto the plate, severing that portion of the stock on the plate, and means controlledby the actuation of the severing means for holding the, stock to the supporting plate. I

In a. tobacco feeding machine the com bination with a supporting plate, ofa holding plate, means for swinging said plates in timed relation about intersecting axes respectively to position the plates in or out .of position one upon the other.

6. In a tobacco feeding machine the combination with a supporting plate, of a holding plate, means for swinging said platesin timed relation about'intersecting axes respectively to position the plates in or out of position one upon the other, and means for directinga layer of stock between the plates to be clamped thereby.

means for 7.: In a tobacco feeding machine the combination with a delivering belt and receiving mechanism, of means for transferring stock from the receiving mechanism to the delivering belt, said means including a supporting plate, a holding plate, means for swingmg the supporting plate into one position to receive a layer of stock from the receiving mechanism and in the opposite directionto deliver the stock to the belt, and means for swinging the holding plate successively onto and away from the supporting plate between movements of the supporting plate.

8. The combination with a delivering belt and receiving mechanism, of means for transferring alayer of stock from the receiving mechanism to the belt, said means including relatively movable platesmounted'to swing about separate crossed axes, into position to receive therebetween and clamp upon a layer of stock supplied from the re cervmg mechanism, and means operating 1n timed relation for shifting'one of the plates out of the path of the second plate and for shifting said second plate to deposit the layer of stock upon the'belt.

v 9. The combination with a delivering belt and receiving mechanism, of a supporting plate mounted to swing successively into position to receive a layer of stock from the receiving mechanism and into inverted position above the belt, means for actuating the receiving mechanism to direct a layer of stock onto the supporting plate, means for severing that portion of the stock on the plate, and means controlled by-the severing of thestock for impaling the stock and holding it to the supporting plate while the plate is moving to inverted position.

10. .The combination with a delivering belt, of a supporting plate, means for directing a layer of stock onto the supporting plate, means for impaling the stock to hold it to the plate, means for swinging the plate to inverted position above the belt, and means actuated by the movement of said plate to inverted position for releasing the impaled stock when the plate completes said movement. i I

11. The combination with a delivering belt, of a supporting plate, a holding plate, means for directinga layer of stock onto the supporting plate, means for actuating the holdingplate to engage the supported stock,

means shiftable within the plates for impal ing the stock held between the plates, and means for successively shifting the holding plate away from the engaged stock, moving the supporting plate to inverted position above the belt, and retracting the impaling means to releasethe stock from the inverted plate. V v

12. The combination with a delivering device, of a supporting plate having apertures, a pm plate movable with but shiftable relative to the supporting plate, plus thereon projecting into the apertures, means for directing a layer of stock onto the supporting plate, means for shifting the pin plate to project the pins through the stock, friction means for holding the pin plate with the. pins in any position to which they may be shift-ed, means for swinging the plates to inverted positions above the delivering device, and means operated by such movement of the plates for shifting the pin plate relative to the supporting plate to withdraw the pins from the stock.

13. The combination with a movable delivering device, of transfer mechanism including a supporting plate, means for swinging said plate from receiving position to an inverted position above the delivering device, means for directing a layer of stock onto the plate, and a pressure belt movable onto the plate for draining the sheet of stock over the plate.

14.. In feeding mechanism of the class described a transfer mechanism including a shiftable plate, a presser belt movable into and out of contact with the plate, mechanism for directing a sheet of stock between the plate and presser belt, said mechanism and the presser belt operating at a like speed to convey the layer of stock evenly into position upon the plate.

15. In feeding mechanism of the class described the combination with a shiftable supporting plate, of a presscr belt normall supported out of the path of movement of the plate, means for swinging said belt onto the plate, and means operatively connected to and cooperating with the presser belt for directing a sheet of stock onto the plate.

16. In feeding mechanism of the class dc scribed the combination with a delivering device, of a supporting plate, a holding plate, impaling means movable relative to the plates, a. presser belt normally supported out of the paths of the plates, and separate means operating in timed relation for positioning the presser belt upon the supporting plate, directing a sheet of stock onto said plate to be conveyed by the belt along the plate, shifting the presser belt out of the paths of the plates, moving the holding plate onto the stock upon the supporting plate, impaling the stock, shifting the holding plate out of the path of the supporting plate, inverting the supporting plate above the delivering device, and re leasing the stock from the impaling means.

17 In a feeding mechanism of the class described the combination with a delivering device, of transfer mechanism including a. plate mounted to swing from normal position to an inverted position above the delivering device, means for shifting the delivering device intermittently while the plate is out of position tliereabove, means for directing a layer of stock onto the plate, means for holding said layer to the plate while moving to inverted position, and means for releasing the stock from the inverted plate to deposit it on the delivering device while said device is at rest.

18. In feeding apparatus of the class described the combination with an intermittently movable delivering belt, of means for depositing layers of stock upon the belt during pauses in the movement of the belt, said layers being disposed in lapped relation to form a stack, and means for automatically delivering tobacco cuttings upon the stack.

19. In feeding mechanism of the class described the combination with an intermittently movable delivering belt, of transfer mechanism for depositing layers of stock upon the belt during pauses in the movement of the belt to form a stack, a chute overhanging the belt, means for directing cuttings into the chute, said chute constituting means for directing cuttings onto the stack longitudinally thereof, a gate for controlling the delivery of cuttings from the chute, and means controlled by the thickness of the stack for actuating the gate.

20. The combination with a delivering device and means for intermittently operating the same, of transfer mechanism including a plate shiftable into and out of inverted position above the delivering device, means for directing a layer of stock onto the plate prior to its movement to. inverted position, means for actuating the plate to bring it to inverted position and deliver the layer of stock onto the delivering device during a pause in the movement of said device, thereby to build a stack upon the delivering device, a detecting element carried by the plate and shiftable out of normal position by the stack when. the stack is of excessive thickness, and means operated by the detect ing device when shifted, for stopping the supply of stock to the transfer mechanism.

21. The; combination with an intermittently movable delivering device, of invertible transfer mechanism for depositing lay ers of stock upon said device to form a stack, means for directing sheets of stock onto the transfer mechanism prior to the inversion thereof, a detecting device carried by the transfer mechanism for contact with a stack of excessive thickness to be shifted thereby, and means actuated by the shifting of the detecting device for stopping the delivery of layers of stock to the transfer mechanism.

22. The combination with an intermittently movable. delivering device, of invertible transfer mechanism for delivering layers of stock successively onto said device to form a stack, means for directing layers of stock onto the transfer mechanism prior to the inversion thereof, a chute for delivering stock onto the stack along the center thereof, a detecting device carried by the transfer mechanism and shiftable by Contact with a stack of excessive thickness, and means 0perated by the shifting of the detecting device for automatically stopping the supply of stock to the transfer mechanism and for shutting off the delivery of stock from the 10 chute.

In testimony that I claimthe foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

ALBERT A. HEYMAN. 

